Our Favourite Design-Forward Hotels in Italy

As I prepare to travel to Italy for two weeks with my entire family—returning to the town my Nonni called home before immigrating to Canada—I’ve been thinking about the places all over the country that continually inspire me as a designer. 

Italy has a remarkable way of layering history, craftsmanship, and contemporary design so naturally that the two feel inseparable. Some of the most inspiring interiors aren’t new at all, they are thoughtful reinterpretations of centuries-old spaces.

Here are five design hotels in Italy that I love, and cannot wait to visit, each offering a different perspective on how history and modern design can coexist beautifully.

1. Vetera Matera

Tucked into the ancient cave dwellings of Matera, Vetera Matera might be the pinnacle of design restraint.

The hotel sits within the historic Sassi district, where homes have been carved directly into limestone cliffs for centuries. Rather than competing with the architecture, the design highlights it, preserving vaulted stone ceilings, textured cave walls, and carved niches.

Minimal furnishings, warm lighting, and natural materials allow the architecture to remain the focus. The result feels atmospheric, grounded, and deeply connected to its surroundings.

Sometimes the most impactful decision a designer can make is simply knowing what not to change.

2. Palazzo Talìa

Located in the heart of Rome, Palazzo Talìa brings contemporary creativity into a historic palazzo setting.

The interiors embrace bold textures, rich colors, and sculptural lighting while preserving the grandeur of the original architecture. Frescoed ceilings and historic details coexist with modern furnishings and unexpected design elements, creating spaces that feel theatrical yet refined.

It’s an inspiring example of how historic structures can evolve with personality and imagination, rather than simply being preserved as museum pieces.

3. STRAF Hotel

In contrast to Italy’s ornate historic spaces, STRAF in Milan embraces a bold, urban minimalism.

Raw materials such as burnished brass, dark stone, exposed concrete, and textured metals, create interiors that feel industrial and contemporary. The design plays with contrast: rough against refined, dark against light, historic architecture against modern interventions.

Located just steps from the Milan Cathedral, STRAF captures Milan’s reputation as a global design capital: experimental, confident, and unapologetically modern.

4. Palazzo Maresgallo

In the baroque city of Lecce, Palazzo Maresgallo feels like stepping into a beautifully restored private residence.

The interiors celebrate the region’s architectural heritage: high frescoed ceilings, stone floors, and grand windows that fill the rooms with southern Italian light. These historic elements are balanced with contemporary furnishings and a restrained palette that allows the architecture to shine.

It’s an example of how thoughtful restoration can maintain the soul of a building while making it feel completely relevant today.

5. Casa Imayah

Located in the Sicilian baroque town of Noto (one of my fave cities; see my month in Sicily recap), Casa Imayah is a boutique retreat that blends Mediterranean warmth with global design influences.

The interiors are calm and layered—lime washed walls, natural textiles, handcrafted ceramics, and soft neutral tones that echo the surrounding landscape. Arched doorways and historic details are complemented by contemporary furniture and curated objects.

Its ability to be both intimate and transportive is something we carry into all of our Toronto & Caledon projects at LN Studio, building something restorative for our clients each time. 

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Each of these hotels approaches design differently, but they share something important: a deep respect for place. 

And while these hotels are already inspiring us from afar, I look forward to sharing more from our travels—and the design inspiration we discover along the way—when we return. 🇮🇹✨